Speaker Wire

In article <480f659a$0$3382$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>, "Sanbar" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Hi
>
>I'm thinking about putting some ceiling speakers in my house that I am
>building. What kind of wire is appropriate for this. Can I use cat 6 so it
>is multi purpose.
>
>I really know nothing about this.'
>
>Thanks

For moderate levels you can gang up colors to a get decent conduction. It
will work well for mono, but splitting it up again is not so good, but
will carry small levels. Cat 3 is just fine.

greg

Sanbar wrote:

> Hi
>
> I'm thinking about putting some ceiling speakers in my house that I am
> building. What kind of wire is appropriate for this. Can I use cat 6 so it
> is multi purpose.

Cat 6 is really a bit too thin for speaker wire unless you're only looking for
a couple of watts.

Graham

"Eeyore" wrote ...
> Sanbar wrote:
>> I'm thinking about putting some ceiling speakers in my house that I am
>> building. What kind of wire is appropriate for this. Can I use cat 6 so
>> it
>> is multi purpose.
>
> Cat 6 is really a bit too thin for speaker wire unless you're only looking
> for
> a couple of watts.

It might be OK for "background music" or maybe even for
the rear surround speakers (one cable per speaker). But not
really suitable for any kind of primary speaker use.

In article <[email protected]>, "Richard Crowley" <[email protected]> wrote:
>"Eeyore" wrote ...
>> Sanbar wrote:
>>> I'm thinking about putting some ceiling speakers in my house that I am
>>> building. What kind of wire is appropriate for this. Can I use cat 6 so
>>> it
>>> is multi purpose.
>>
>> Cat 6 is really a bit too thin for speaker wire unless you're only looking
>> for
>> a couple of watts.
>
>It might be OK for "background music" or maybe even for
>the rear surround speakers (one cable per speaker). But not
>really suitable for any kind of primary speaker use.

For home theater I would not recommed it, but its
more of length than anything. You can make a 17 guage mono pair from Cat6
which is not bad. If its a 300 foot run I would look elsewhere. I did not know Cat6 is one
gauge larger. Cat 5 and below would ne 18 guage.

greg

In article <funrm7$38k$1@usenet01.srv.cis.pitt.edu>, [email protected] (GregS) wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>, "Richard Crowley"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>"Eeyore" wrote ...
>>> Sanbar wrote:
>>>> I'm thinking about putting some ceiling speakers in my house that I am
>>>> building. What kind of wire is appropriate for this. Can I use cat 6 so
>>>> it
>>>> is multi purpose.
>>>
>>> Cat 6 is really a bit too thin for speaker wire unless you're only looking
>>> for
>>> a couple of watts.
>>
>>It might be OK for "background music" or maybe even for
>>the rear surround speakers (one cable per speaker). But not
>>really suitable for any kind of primary speaker use.
>
>For home theater I would not recommed it, but its
>more of length than anything. You can make a 17 guage mono pair from Cat6
>which is not bad. If its a 300 foot run I would look elsewhere. I did not know
> Cat6 is one
>gauge larger. Cat 5 and below would ne 18 guage.
>
>greg

I was supprised at the price of the stuff at The Home Depot when I picked up some. Of
course I'm also wiring my house and all the wire is expensive. But, you could probably use
12 guage for the same price.

greg

Sanbar <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>I'm thinking about putting some ceiling speakers in my house that I am
>building. What kind of wire is appropriate for this. Can I use cat 6 so it
>is multi purpose.
>
>I really know nothing about this.'

Go to an electrical supply house. Order 18 ga cable that is rated for
in-wall installation; you cannot just use cheap zip cord due to fire code
regulations.

Cat 6 is 24 ga cable and much too thin.

You may also find it of benefit to run a 70V distribution system. The
Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook will have details on 70V systems. If
you go the 70V route, you CAN actually get away with 24 ga cable for fairly
low power levels.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

In article <funtpf$crh$1@panix2.panix.com>, [email protected] (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
>Sanbar <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>I'm thinking about putting some ceiling speakers in my house that I am
>>building. What kind of wire is appropriate for this. Can I use cat 6 so it
>>is multi purpose.
>>
>>I really know nothing about this.'
>
>Go to an electrical supply house. Order 18 ga cable that is rated for
>in-wall installation; you cannot just use cheap zip cord due to fire code
>regulations.
>
>Cat 6 is 24 ga cable and much too thin.
>
>You may also find it of benefit to run a 70V distribution system. The
>Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook will have details on 70V systems. If
>you go the 70V route, you CAN actually get away with 24 ga cable for fairly
>low power levels.
>--scott
>
8 wires of 23 guage each, all of them bundled up is 14 guage. CAT6 is 23 guage.
If I had LOTS of it, I think I would go for it.

greg

"GregS" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:funu7q$3pd$1@usenet01.srv.cis.pitt.edu...
> In article <funtpf$crh$1@panix2.panix.com>, [email protected] (Scott
> Dorsey) wrote:
>>Sanbar <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>I'm thinking about putting some ceiling speakers in my house that I am
>>>building. What kind of wire is appropriate for this. Can I use cat 6 so
>>>it
>>>is multi purpose.
>>>
>>>I really know nothing about this.'
>>
>>Go to an electrical supply house. Order 18 ga cable that is rated for
>>in-wall installation; you cannot just use cheap zip cord due to fire code
>>regulations.
>>
>>Cat 6 is 24 ga cable and much too thin.
>>
>>You may also find it of benefit to run a 70V distribution system. The
>>Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook will have details on 70V systems. If
>>you go the 70V route, you CAN actually get away with 24 ga cable for
>>fairly
>>low power levels.
>>--scott
>>
> 8 wires of 23 guage each, all of them bundled up is 14 guage. CAT6 is 23
> guage.
> If I had LOTS of it, I think I would go for it.
>
> greg

Thanks for all of the replies. It doesn't sound like Cat 6 is a great
option. I'll just get regular 18ga speaker wire.


Barry

"Sanbar" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:480f95a4$0$3353$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>
[snip]
>
> Thanks for all of the replies. It doesn't sound like Cat 6 is a great
> option. I'll just get regular 18ga speaker wire.
>
>
> Barry
Barry, as Scott says, you need to use "plenum rated wire", or you will not
be in code compliance.

Bob Morein
(310) 237-6511